Witness testimony starts in 2017 Ben Hill Co. mother, daughter murder trial

FITZGERALD, Ga. (WALB) - A man is standing trial after he was charged with murder in the death of his girlfriend and her 9-year-old daughter.

Veartis Tyrone Wallace is standing trial for the deaths of Jennifer Taylor, 33, and Marissa Lynn Taylor.

The trial began Monday morning with jury selection, followed by opening statements.

On Wednesday, Todd Crosby, an agent with the Georgia Bureau (GBI) of Investigation and an ADT Security employee were some of the witnesses who took the stand.

Family members of Jennifer Taylor were in the courtroom. Marissa’s father was also there.

Family members were tearful as they heard GBI officials talk about the details of their autopsies.

Jennifer and Marissa's family declined to comment.

Wallace’s attorney, Jason Moon, said he has instructed Wallace’s family to not comment on the case.

Hundreds of pieces of evidence are being used in the trial, including autopsy photos. The photos are of both Jennifer and Marissa Taylor and were some of the more disturbing pieces of evidence used so far in the trial.

“In regard to Marissa Taylor, did you determine a cause of death to Marissa Taylor?" District Attorney Brad Rigby asked GBI Medical Examiner Dr. Melissa Sims-Stanley.

"Yes, multiple gunshot wounds,” answered Sims-Stanley.

Sims-Stanley said Jennifer Taylor had a total of five gunshot wounds. One of those shots went through her ear and is considered the fatal shot.

Marissa, 9, had four gunshot wounds, according to Dr. Sims-Stanley.

“How long after the body was discovered was it taken to you?” Moon asked Sims-Stanley.

“The bodies were brought to the office the following day,” Sims-Stanley answered.

District Attorney Brad Rigby expects the trial to last through Thursday.

The trial will continue on Thursday with around 10 more witnesses expected to take the stand.

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